Effect of Linear and Weekly Undulating Resistance Training on VO2max and vVO2max in Project Athletes

Resistance training is widely used to enhance VO2max, vVO2max, and sprint capacity. However, the relative effectiveness of different resistance training models remains unclear. Therefore, this randomized experimental study compared the effects of linear and weekly undulating resistance training on estimated VO2max and vVO2max in male runners. Thirty-six athletes were randomly assigned to linear (n = 18) or weekly undulating group (n = 18). Data were analyzed using a two-way mixed-design ANOVA via SPSS Statistics (Version 26 for Windows; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), with level of significance set at p < 0.05. The analysis revealed a significant main effect of Time on estimated VO2max, F (1, 34) = 244.30, p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.878. However, neither the main effect of Group, F (1, 34) = 3.01, p = 0.092, ηₚ² = 0.081, nor the Time × Group interaction, F (1, 34) = 1.79, p = 0.190, ηₚ² = 0.050, reached statistical significance. For estimated vVO2max, a significant effect of Time was observed, F (1, 34) = 149.62, p < 0.001, ηₚ² = 0.815. The main effect of Group was not significant, F (1, 34) = 1.55, p = 0.222, ηₚ² = 0.044. However, a significant Time × Group interaction was found, F (1, 34) = 4.40, p = 0.043, ηₚ² = 0.115. In conclusion, both the 12-week linear and weekly undulating group significantly improved estimated VO2max and vVO2max. Estimated VO2max improvements were similar between groups, whereas the weekly undulating group elicited significantly greater gains in estimated vVO2max compared with the linear group.